HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Cadets from the Texas A&M Maritime Academy are being credited with rescuing individuals stranded in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a university spokesperson.
The academy departed from Galveston on Sunday, June 2, for its annual training semester, which combines degree programs with U.S. Coast Guard license training.
While en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, several cadets on watch spotted a small vessel with people signaling for help.
“I’ve had over 20 years at sea, and I’ve only encountered one other situation like this,” said Captain Wade Howell.
Howell contacted the Coast Guard, who granted permission to launch a rescue boat.
“We were the closest vessel because we were in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, quite far from any other help,” he explained.
The stranded vessel had three Spanish-speaking individuals on board who told the cadets they had been adrift for several days.
The ship is now rerouting to Key West, where the individuals will be handed over to U.S. Coast Guard officials.
